IPOH: The state-level Warriors’ Day celebration turned sombre as Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah looked on while a powerful pantomime recreated one of Malaysia’s darkest security incidents.
The emotionally charged re-enactment was that of the Al-Ma’unah incident in Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, Kuala Kangsar, 26 years ago.
The re-enactment was carried out by 53 personnel from the Armed Forces and the police held at the state secretariat building here yesterday.
The pantomime performance titled Operasi Subuh paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the nation’s security forces.
The pantomime depicted how the incident unfolded after Lt Jen (Rtd) Datuk Seri Zaini Mohamad Said received an urgent call from Second Division Commander Mej Jen Datuk Khairuddin Mat Yusof, informing him of the security breach.
The Bukit Jenalik tragedy had claimed the lives of Detective Korporal R. Sanghadevan and the army’s Gerup Gerak Khas commando Trooper Mathew Medan.
Operasi Subuh revolves around the skirmish between the national security forces and the militant group that called themselves Al-Maunah at Bukit Jenalik, Sauk in Kuala Kangsar.
The group had planned to overthrow the government on July 2, 2000.
During the incident a group of 20 men seized guns and ammunition from the 304th Batallion (Infantry) Territorial Army near Pulau Banding in Gerik.
In a final attempt to end the standoff peacefully, Zaini decided to meet the man behind the militant group, Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali, personally.
The tense encounter ended with security forces successfully overpowering and detaining the Al-Ma’unah members, with Mohamed Amin hanged for his crimes in 2006.
Earlier, Sultan Nazrin graced the celebration at Dataran Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Also present were Raja Muda Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, and Raja Di Hilir Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah.
Sultan Nazrin, was received by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Western Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Datuk Baharudin Wan Md Nor, Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin and 2nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig Jen Mohamad Rosli Abu Bakar.
The ceremony began with the singing of the Perak state anthem before Sultan Nazrin inspected a guard of honour comprising three officers and 103 personnel from the Royal Engineers Regiment, 2 Division, led by Mejar Mohd Izuan Mohamed.
Observed annually on July 31, Warriors’ Day honours members of Malaysia’s armed forces and security services who sacrificed their lives or rendered distinguished service in defending the nation’s independence, peace and sovereignty.
The annual commemoration also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the country’s security personnel in safeguarding the nation for future generations.
The date marks the official end of the Malayan Emergency on July 31, 1960, and was subsequently designated as Warriors’ Day in recognition of the country’s victory over the insurgency and the sacrifices of its security forces.
